Visible Light Induced Cationic Polymerization of Epoxides by Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Sangermano M., Rodriguez D., Gonzalez M. C. , Laurenti E., Yagci Y.

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, vol.39, no.13, 2018 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 39 Issue: 13
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/marc.201800250
  • Title of Journal : MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS

Abstract

The visible light induced cationic polymerization of epoxides can be achieved by means of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which act as visible light photoinitiators via a radical-induced cationic photopolymerization process. When MWCNTs are irradiated with longer wavelengths (above 400 nm), they generate carbon radicals, by means of hydrogen abstraction from the epoxy monomer; these radicals are oxidized in the presence of iodonium salt to a carbocation that is sufficiently reactive to start the cationic ring-opening polymerization of an epoxy monomer. These mechanisms have been supported by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis.